Gov. Mitt Romney holds a 47 - 41 percent lead over President Barack Obama in Florida, where
63 percent of voters say the president's support of same-sex marriage will not affect their vote,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Another 25 - 11 percent of voters,
including 23 - 9 percent among independent voters, say Obama's support of gay marriage makes
them less likely to support his candidacy.

Adding Florida U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio to the GOP ticket would give the Republican
Romney/Rubio team a 49 - 41 percent lead over President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Romney's lead in the horse race compares to a 44 - 43 percent tie in a May 3 survey by
the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University and a 49 - 42 percent Obama lead
March 28.

Florida registered voters say 52 - 44 percent that the president does not deserve a second
term in the Oval Office and by 52 - 44 percent give him a thumbs-down on his job approval.

"Gov. Mitt Romney has slipped into the lead in Florida and that standing is confirmed by
his much better numbers than the president when voters are asked whether they view the
candidates favorably or unfavorably. They view Romney favorably 44 - 35 percent, while
Obama gets a negative 45 - 50 percent favorability," said Peter A. Brown, assistant vice
president of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"The overall picture in Florida is positive for Romney, who is ahead 50 - 37 percent
among men, while women are divided 44 - 45 percent. And the president is getting just 33
percent of white votes, compared to 85 percent of black votes and 42 percent of Hispanic votes."

Romney is viewed as better able to handle the economy, 50 - 40 percent.

On the issue of same-sex marriage, Florida voters, who have banned such unions in the
State Constitution, now say they oppose them 50 - 40 percent. Men oppose same-sex marriage
55 - 35 percent while women are divided 44 - 46 percent. Support is 57 - 33 percent among
voters under 35 years old. Opposition is 52 - 38 percent among voters 35 to 54 years old and
55 - 36 percent among voters over 55.

When given a three-way choice:

36 percent favor gay marriage;

34 percent back civil unions;

23 percent oppose all legal recognition.

A total of 22 percent of Florida voters say same-sex marriage is "extremely important" or
"very important" to their presidential vote, while 26 percent say "somewhat important" and 49
percent say "not important."

Romney's opposition to same-sex marriage will not affect their vote, 56 percent of
Florida votes say, while 23 percent say it makes them more likely to vote for him and 19 percent
say less likely.

"While the issue of same-sex marriage looks like it affects only one-third of Florida
voters, we know from experience what a few votes can mean in the Sunshine State," said Brown.

From May 15 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,722 registered voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

2. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and Mitt Romney the Republican, for whom would you vote?

TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were Barack Obama the Democrat and Mitt Romney the Republican, for whom would you vote? (2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

3. Let's say the Democratic ticket is Barack Obama for president and Joe Biden for vice president and the Republican ticket is Mitt Romney for president and Marco Rubio for vice president. If you were voting today, how would you vote?

8. Compared to past presidential elections, how would you describe your level of enthusiasm about voting in this year's presidential election; are you more enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as usual?

TREND: Compared to past presidential elections, how would you describe your level of enthusiasm about voting in this year's presidential election; are you more enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as usual? (2011 wording referenced "2012 election")

29. Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

TREND: Do you think same-sex couples should be allowed legally to marry, should be allowed legally to form civil unions, but not marry, or should not be allowed to obtain legal recognition of their relationships?

32. As you may know, Barack Obama supports same-sex marriage. Does Barack Obama's support for same-sex marriage make you more likely to vote for him for President, less likely to vote for him for President, or doesn't it make a difference?

33. As you may know, Mitt Romney opposes same-sex marriage. Does Mitt Romney's opposition to same-sex marriage make you more likely to vote for him for President, less likely to vote for him for President, or doesn't it make a difference?

34. As you may know, Mitt Romney opposes civil unions for same-sex couples. Does Mitt Romney's opposition to civil unions for same-sex couples make you more likely to vote for him for President, less likely to vote for him for President, or doesn't it make a difference?